I've shot 2 nice 8-Point Bucks with my Browning bolt-action .243 Rifle (100 grain bullets) and several Doe's,the recoil is light and it is a very accurate gun and I have used it to hunt coyotes also.My next choice of Rifles would be a Savage .243 with the Accu-Trigger or a Browning 7mm-08 or Savage 7mm-08 Rifle.I have shot a Remington Semi-Automatic 30-06 all my life when hunting and went to the .243 because of the recoil issue...I also bought a older Remington 30-06 bolt action Rifle so I could use the Remington managed recoil shells in 125 grain.As mentioned the 30-30 Rifle is a good gun and the Lever_Revolution shells entend your range even further out.